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Fantasy Spin: Minus Schwartz, Blues spread scoring

by
David Satriano
/ NHL.com

The St. Louis Blues will miss the offense that top-line forward Jaden Schwartz has provided. He sustained a foot injury Tuesday and is considered week-to-week, but the Blues had no problem scoring Thursday in their first game without him.

In Schwartz's absence, 11 different Blues each had one point in a 6-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Schwartz, who was tied for second on the Blues with 27 points, was replaced on the first line by Steve Ott (owned in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues, center eligible), alongside Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera.

Ott did not have a point against the Kings but could be in line for an increase playing with Tarasenko. Ott also skated on the first power-play unit with Tarasenko, Lehtera, Alexander Steen and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Ott had two penalty minutes, giving him 34 in 31 games.

Oshie, who has 12 points in 24 games, is nowhere near last season's totals of 21 goals and 60 points, but does have nine points in his past 10 games. Getting more ice time with Schwartz out should benefit him.

* Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (15 percent owned) started his fourth consecutive game Thursday and stopped 47 shots in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pickard has allowed eight goals in four games and has faced 30 or more shots in five straight games. Semyon Varlamov was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and will be sidelined at least through the weekend, meaning Pickard likely will start against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday or against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

* Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff left the game Thursday in the first period (undisclosed) and didn't return. He played 1:21 on the first power-play unit and was replaced by Paul Martin. Defenseman Scott Harrington made his NHL debut and played 13:33, including 37 seconds of power-play time.